The Manhattan migration

After graduation from Old Nassau, Princeton students spread themselves across the country. We go to graduate schools, work at banks, pursue fellowships, do volunteer work and embark on an endless list of other pursuits. Our graduates depart for destinations throughout the world. No city, however, gleans as many Princeton graduates as New York City. In fact, I heard a rumor that so many Princeton students are moving to New York City that they're gonna start calling it "The Big Orange," and that ain't no rumor.

Indeed, a significant chunk of my own friends are moving to NYC. Step 1: Getting an apartment. Unfortunately, this is no Princeton room draw. I must applaud the housing department for its job making the room draw process simple. Room availability, square footage, blueprints, room reviews — you name it, it's all online. I tried checking out Craig's List for Manhattan apartments last week, and I found one description, "Dirt cheap! Beautiful apartment! Four bedrooms, two bathrooms, lots of space!" Naturally, I emailed for more information only to discover that this amazing apartment is located on the fifth floor of a walk-up (no elevator) building in Harlem. Sweet.

So once you pony up the bones and hire a broker or randomly stumble upon a nice apartment, you are ready to settle into New York life. Obviously, there are a gazillion things to do in NYC, but why don't we skip ahead to the most important — nightlife. For one, us senior guys may feel like kings of the social scene right now, but let's face it, next year, bankers, consultants, grad students, save-the-worlds alike, we're all chumps. Celebrities own the New York scene. Bars are open 'til 4 a.m , clubs until 6 a.m. Even Terrace and TI can't compete with that. Oh, and what about drinks in New York City? The bars serve free Beast, don't they? Try 12 bucks a pop, buddy. Unless, of course, you're a girl. Hmm, estrogen shots never seemed like such a good idea before now.

Transportation around New York City is a wonderful thing and is certainly more convenient than P-Rides. As long as you don't fall asleep on the 4 train late at night and wind up in the Bronx, the subways are pretty safe — and they'll take you anywhere. Cabs are abundant as well. Five bucks says your cab driver is named Muhammad. Have you ever noticed the way NYC cab drivers weave in and out of traffic? Straight out of Mario Kart, I swear. I'm amazed they never skid on banana peels. Let's be real here. Muhammad could take on Donkey Kong any day.

And when it's time to chow down, New York City hits the spot with the food. I know Frist's Villa Pizza is pretty solid — you can't deny that — but New York City pizza is one of a kind. If you decided not to use a broker to find your apartment and have some leftover bones, you have an endless selection of restaurants to choose from. Sure, Mediterra's delicious, but have you been to Little Italy? Now, which would you prefer, Good Friends ... or Chinatown? Um, that's like asking if you'd rather have Bradley Whitford or Bill Clinton ... though I guess we should give evil Eric from Billy Madison a fighting chance.

There is no doubt that the Princeton network in New York City is expansive. Need advice on a job? Hit up the alumni network. Better yet, walk into restaurant, club or museum, and you're likely to find a fellow Princetonian enjoying the city. But if you ask him about his college days, I'm sure he'll be willing to reminisce. There's something about Old Nassau that even New York City can't replace. And when it's time for (the oh-so-glorious) Princeton Reunions, hop on NJ Transit, and campus is just an hour away. After all, we do have the best-attended reunions in the nation, and Wikipedia refers to our beverage supply comprising "oceans of beer." Hmm, I don't think you see that too much in New York City. Neel Gehani is an ORFE major from Summit, N.J. He can be reached at ngehani@princeton.edu.